Airports in India put on high alert

Airports in India have been put on high alert after security officials were warned of a possible attempt to hijack an Indian airliner. The alert was from local intelligence and comes ahead of India’s annual Republic Day celebrations on January 26, which will host US President Barack Obama, who will be the chief guest.

State-run Air India reportedly received an anonymous telephone call threatening that its Delhi-Kabul flight could be targeted by militant Islamist groups, the BBC said.

“Security around all the airports has been strengthened and we have taken all the measures that are required in the wake of the alert from intelligence agencies,” officials told news agencies.

An official from Air India told the Hindustan Times newspaper that the airline was “conducting a second security check of passengers before they enter the aircraft”.

Reports have also suggested that armed marshals will be deployed on certain flights.